At some point, we’ve probably all heard the terrifying screech of tires and the collision of two cars crashing into each other. The only thing more frightening than hearing that loud crash is being involved in the crash.
In the immediate moments after a crash, you’re checking for injuries and if you can leave the car. You then want to check on the other people involved in the accident and if they need help getting out of the vehicle. After that, the phone calls start.
Calls to Make After an Accident
You’ll call 911 first to get the police to report to the scene or an ambulance. You then might call your family to tell them what happened. If your car is rendered inoperable, you’ll need to call for a tow and arrange to get a ride home. Before leaving, you’ll probably take a bunch of pictures of the scene and exchange information with the other driver.
After getting checked by EMTs or in an ER, you’ll need to figure out who is going to pay for everything. That is where the insurance company comes into play, but which company do you need to contact: your carrier or the at-fault driver’s carrier?
This is where things can get complicated, and it might be why you should consider speaking with an experienced Albuquerque car accident attorney like the team you’ll find at Barrera Law Group. LLC.
We have helped dozens of clients successfully navigate the often-complex challenges of filing a claim after a car accident. We know how insurance companies operate and can share the best approach for what to tell your insurance company after an accident.
Insurance Policy Obligations
Have you read the “fine print” in your car insurance policy? Yes, the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Insurance Division (MVD) requires every driver to carry auto liability insurance with the following minimums:
- $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person
- $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons.
- $10,000 for property damage in any one accident.
Depending on the insurance carrier you choose, the fine print of your policy might obligate you to report every accident to the agency. This isn’t the same as filing a claim. In fact, you could report the accident without ever filing a claim.
When you report the accident, you should provide your name, location, and time of the accident.
You might find yourself in a situation where you need to start the claims process right away. That is especially true if you have mounting medical bills and car repairs to pay for.
If another driver’s negligence caused the accident, it should be their insurance company who pays for your losses. However, you might need to first file with your insurance company, which could, in turn, go after the other insurance company. That could leave you in a lurch, and it’s one of the main reasons to get a car accident attorney involved with your claim as soon as possible. Your attorney will become your advocate and can cut through the red tape to get the answers you need about your entitled compensation.
What Not to Say to An Insurance Company
Whether you’re talking to your insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurer, there are some things you should not say. Consider the following:
Any Admissions
When you enter a retainer agreement with a lawyer, you will establish an attorney-client privilege that makes any communications with your attorney confidential. You don’t have that same agreement with an insurance company. Even if you think you might have done something to contribute to the accident, you should not admit that to your insurance company.
Let your attorney handle that admission and whether it is relevant to what happened.
Personal Opinions
You should not share any opinions about what you think might have caused the accident.
That’s something that investigators should handle. You should only share what you saw and experienced. You should also avoid sharing personal details like where you were going or how your car was running.
Medical Assessments
If you’re asked how you’re feeling by an insurance adjuster, you might default to “I feel fine” because you don’t want anyone to make a fuss over you.
Unfortunately, that kind of assessment can diminish the severity of your injuries. If you’re “fine,” then you can go back to work and don’t need any more support. You also don’t want to make up a condition. You shouldn’t say you have whiplash unless a doctor has officially diagnosed it.
It is also important not to agree to make a recorded statement unless your attorney is present, as that recording could be used later as evidence to reduce or deny your claim.
Don’t Be Tricked by an Insurance Company
The insurance company will do everything they can to deny your claim. The adjuster assigned to your claim will deploy tactics to try and trick you into admitting guilt or downplaying your injuries.
When you retain an attorney from the Barrera Law Group, LLC team, they will do the talking for you.